Brathwaite ends Windies Test win drought

AFP, SHARJAH: West Indies secured their first victory since May 2015 as opener Kraigg Brathwaite capped a brilliant match with an unbeaten half-century in the third Test against Pakistan at Sharjah Thursday.
Brathwaite, who carried his bat in the first innings with 142 not out, was again unbeaten on 60 as the West Indies passed their 153-run target without further loss after beginning the fifth day on 114 for 5.
Shane Dowrich, who also finished with 60 not out, edged Mohammad Amir towards third man for a boundary as West Indies reached 154 for 5.
Pakistan won the three-match series 2-1 after winning the first Test in Dubai by 56 runs and the second by 133 runs in Abu Dhabi.
Brathwaite and Dowrich needed just 7.5 overs to score the 39 runs required.
Brathwaite signalled his intent by driving fast bowler Wahab Riaz's first ball of the day to cover for four.
Dowrich soon got in on the act when he pulled leg-spinner Yasir Shah to the boundary to reduce the target to 29.
Brathwaite pushed Riaz for two to reach his 12th Test fifty, finishing with six boundaries during his second unbeaten knock of the match, during which he faced 109 balls.
Dowrich drove Riaz through the covers for his fifth boundary to complete his fourth Test half-century. His two boundaries off Amir's final over completed the win and a 87-ball unbeaten stay at the crease in which he scored seven fours and a six.
The result meant Misbah-ul-Haq could not celebrate his record 49th Test as Pakistan skipper with a win. He surpassed the previous mark of 48 in charge set by the legendary all-rounder Imran Khan.
It was Holder's first victory in 12 Tests in charge and a personal milestone as he collected his first Test five-wicket haul with 5 for 30 on Wednesday.
It was also the West Indies first win in 14 Tests since beating England at Barbados on May 3, 2015.

Brathwaite ends Windies Test win drought

AFP, SHARJAH: West Indies secured their first victory since May 2015 as opener Kraigg Brathwaite capped a brilliant match with an unbeaten half-century in the third Test against Pakistan at Sharjah Thursday. Brathwaite, who carried his bat in the first innings with 142 not out, was again unbeaten on 60 as the West Indies passed their 153-run target without further loss after beginning the fifth day on 114 for 5. Shane Dowrich, who also finished with 60 not out, edged Mohammad Amir towards third man for a boundary as West Indies reached 154 for 5. Pakistan won the three-match series 2-1 after winning the first Test in Dubai by 56 runs and the second by 133 runs in Abu Dhabi. Brathwaite and Dowrich needed just 7.5 overs to score the 39 runs required. Brathwaite signalled his intent by driving fast bowler Wahab Riazs first ball of the day to cover for four. Dowrich soon got in on the act when he pulled leg-spinner Yasir Shah to the boundary to reduce the target to 29. Brathwaite pushed Riaz for two to reach his 12th Test fifty, finishing with six boundaries during his second unbeaten knock of the match, during which he faced 109 balls. Dowrich drove Riaz through the covers for his fifth boundary to complete his fourth Test half-century. His two boundaries off Amirs final over completed the win and a 87-ball unbeaten stay at the crease in which he scored seven fours and a six. The result meant Misbah-ul-Haq could not celebrate his record 49th Test as Pakistan skipper with a win. He surpassed the previous mark of 48 in charge set by the legendary all-rounder Imran Khan. It was Holders first victory in 12 Tests in charge and a personal milestone as he collected his first Test five-wicket haul with 5 for 30 on Wednesday. It was also the West Indies first win in 14 Tests since beating England at Barbados on May 3, 2015.